Communications company Communications Solutions (Comsol) reports that the company is able to cut the costs of communications technology through its service offering.

Comsol sales director Darren Morgan reports that by establishing a private connective network that is custom built to enhance communications on mobile mine sites, the mining companies are able to achieve this saving.

"In the past, it was illegal to set up a private wireless network in South Africa without an ECNS conversion. However, South Africa's communication sector regulatory authority, Icasa, has given the go ahead for the establishment of such networks provided that these are used purely for communication within the mine sites," says Morgan.

He reports that the mines have been able to connect with each other in the past by using a service provider. He adds that companies were paying top dollar for low or unguaranteed capacity.

Comsol is able to overcome this by establishing a wireless network that is solely set up for use by the mining company.

This is especially useful for the mining companies that have major operations in rural areas where communication can be a challenge.

Comsol has already established a wireless network at a major gold mining company in South Africa and at mines in other parts of Africa. Morgan reports that because of the previous legal restrictions in South Africa, the company's main focus has been Africa, where the company has established and grown its service offering.

He says that the company has not been on an aggressive campaign to drive its wireless technology into the market. However, this is set to change with Comsol using cost saving as a draw card to its technology.

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